Massa Martana

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Massa Martana (in Antiquity, Vicus ad Martis on the Via Flaminia) is an ancient Italian town and comune in the Colli Martani mountain range in the province of Perugia (Umbria). At 42°47′N 12°31′E, it is 10 km N of Acquasparta, 18 km N of San Gemini and 32 km N of Narni; 14 km S of Bastardo and 27 km S of Bevagna. As of the 2003 census, the town had 3558 inhabitants.

It is one of the classic walled towns of central Italy, and in its main gate can be seen several ancient inscriptions, including a Roman one of some interest. The modern town has spread northwards along the road.

The territory of the comune includes three of Umbria's best Romanesque churches, each built in part of Roman stone: the abbeys of S. Fidenzio, of S. Maria in Pantano and of S. Faustino. The medieval abbey church of S. Maria in Viepri should also be mentioned, as well as the modern shrine at Colvalenza (6 km southwest), which draws busloads of pilgrims.

[edit] External links

• Official site
• Thayer's Gazetteer of Umbria

(The text of this article is based on the article in Bill Thayer's Gazetteer of Italy, by permission.)